New York has taken what advocates have called an historic step – after joining the District of Columbia and five states in sanctioning same-sex marriage.
The Senate voted on June 24 to approve the measure by a vote of 33-29, and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has promised to sign it into law. As a result, New York also becomes the largest state to legalize gay marriage
According to the Associated Press (AP), New York lawmakers narrowly voted to legalize the bill, which provides activists a breakthrough victory in the state where the gay rights movement was born.
The AP also reported that gay rights advocates are hoping the vote will "galvanize the movement to help regain momentum," after an almost identical bill was defeated last year in Maryland.
Same-sex couples can begin marrying begin 30 days after Cuomo signs the bill.